VALDOSTA – A tip led Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputies to arrest a man on cocaine and MDMA charges Friday evening.

At approximately 7 p.m., the LCSO Special Operations Divisions investigated a tip they had received concerning a man who was selling narcotics, said LCSO Capt. Stryde Jones.

“The investigators found the person’s vehicle parked at a business on North Ashley Street, and when the person returned to the vehicle, he was met by investigators,” Jones said.

Investigators identified the man as John Register, 36, of Valdosta. Register was arrested for an outstanding warrant for violation of probation. After his arrest, a canine unit was called to the scene, Jones said.

“The sheriff’s office canine unit sniffed the exterior of the vehicle and provided a positive alert,” Jones said. “During a subsequent search of the car, investigators found approximately 12 grams of cocaine, 60 MDMA tablets and a handgun.”

Jones said MDMA, methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, is popularly known as Ecstasy or Molly and is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that has similarities to amphetamine and mescaline, a hallucinogen.

Register was charged with possession of MDMA with the intent to distribute, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, reports stated.

LCSO Chris Prine said Special Operations Division deputies “moved swiftly” after receiving the tip to make the arrest.

“Information from citizens is what drives investigations most of the time,” Prine said. “This is a great cooperative effort.”